Literature Review on the Utilization of Rice Husks: Focus on Application of Materials for Digital Fabrication

To achieve a sustainable society, it is important to use biological resources effectively to the extent that they are renewable. Rice husk, which is abundantly produced in various regions, is a useful biomass resource. To promote their use further, it is important to expand the fields in which they are used. Therefore, this study reviews the research on rice-husk-based materials that can be used in digital fabrication, such as those used with 3D printers and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. After outlining the characteristics of each machining method, the authors surveyed and analyzed the original research on rice-husk-based materials for 3D printers and particleboard available in digital fabrication machines for 2D machining. This review identifies issues and proposes solutions for expanding the use of rice-husk-based materials. It also indicates the need for further research on various aspects, such as the workability and maintainability of the equipment.